NOC 32111 — Dental hygienists and dental therapists

TEER 2 · Technical / skilled trades (college or apprenticeship) · Eligible for Express Entry (CEC and FSWP)

Dental hygienists provide dental hygiene treatment and services related to oral health promotion and disease and mouth injury prevention. They are employed in a variety of settings including dentists’ offices, hospitals, private clinics, educational institutions, public health agencies or they may be self-employed. Dental therapists provide limited restorative dental treatment in addition to dental hygiene services. They are employed by the federal government and the provincial governments to provide services in rural and remote communities.

Main duties

Dental hygienists and dental therapists

Conduct patient screening and oral health assessments, including taking vital signs and documenting patient medical and health history
Take dental impressions
Take and develop X-rays
Perform preventative dental procedures such as teeth cleaning, scaling, gum stimulation and fluoride and sealant applications
Provide oral care instructions such as oral hygiene procedures, strategies to maintain and improve oral health and on the impact of nutrition on oral health
Consult with dentists on patient care
May perform restorative and orthodontic procedures under the direction of a dentist
May supervise dental assistants in their health care functions
May participate in community- or school-based oral health initiatives such as oral screening.

Dental therapists

Perform routine dental check-ups, oral cancer examinations and emergency dental examinations
Take dental impressions
Take and develop X-rays
Perform preventative dental procedures such as teeth cleaning, gum stimulation and fluoride and sealant applications
Provide oral care instructions such as oral hygiene procedures, strategies to maintain and improve oral health and on the impact of nutrition on oral health
Perform routine teeth restorations and uncomplicated extractions and provide post extraction oral care instructions
Refer patients to other dental professionals for care beyond the scope of the dental therapist
Provide oral health promotion activities
May supervise dental assistants in their health care functions.

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